Chapter Eleven-

William Colton glared out the open window. She knew. He could never have Laphelia now. People would do anything for love, even the most foolish thing they could think of. What a mess his life was now. The only thing he had now was his position. Maybe his money could buy him love. He walked down the stairway of the inn at Portsmouth and questioned himself. Was that really what he wanted though? A wife that didn't care about him, but cared about material possessions.

William absentmindedly walked through the doorway and collided with another young man. He was slightly shorter and very slender, his light brown hair shined in the moonlight. His blue eyes were angry and cold. The man seemed familiar but he couldn't be bothered with it. "Excuse me." William continued outside, but before he was far out of the inn, he felt a hand on his shoulder and the blade of a sword resting against his throat.

"Father Henry, aye?"

Will and Djaq were anxiously awaiting any word from Robin. They had sent a letter to their leader asking if he needed their help. "Nottingham must be busy." Will glanced at his wife.

"Or Robin doesn't want us back." She leaned back in the chair she was sitting in. "His reply should have came by now."

"Maybe the pigeon got lost…."

Djaq rolled her eyes, "It didn't get lost. Robin just doesn't need us."

"I can't believe it though. After everything we've done for him, he doesn't want us. When we were in the gang, we saved his life, we risked our own lives. You even saved Marian." Will looked sadly at the Saracen woman. "It's-It's just not possible. That is so ungrateful of Robin. It's not our fault she'd dead."

"I don't understand it, Will. Something must have happened. Robin is a good man. We were a family, he would surely want us to come back."

"Maybe we should go to him." The carpenter started at the ground, thinking. "You're right. We have to make sure that he and the gang's alright."

Guy was lying next to Laphelia on the Saffron Traveler. She was still asleep. He admired the wild brown waves of hair falling on her bare back, her lush lips and delicate features. Gisbourne wasn't sure what he felt for her. He thought it was pure lust, but maybe it was love. Laphelia had always been kind to him, he could make her laugh, and he enjoyed her company.

The boat leaned heavily to one side, causing the bureau in their room to fall. The noise woke Laphelia. She stretched and opened her eyes. "Hello, handsome." Guy met her gaze. He watched as she rose and 

fumbled through her bag for a dress. The sheriff's henchman stared dreamily at her feminine curves. "Stop thinking that and help me with my dress."

Guy tried clumsily to lace the strings of the black corset on her dress. "What do I do?"

She sighed and turned from him. "I can tie it myself."

"I'm sorry." A shade of red came over his face. "Do you really want to marry Carter?" Gisbourne blurted.

Laphelia shot him a sneer. "This is not the time to ask."

"Please, answer me now." She sensed the emotion in his eyes.

"I cannot. I know about your past. Prove to me that you have changed and I'll think about it."

"But-"

"Not now," she said gently and walked outside.

"I'm perfectly fine!" Laphelia heard a man cry from inside a cabin as she wandered around the ship. "I don't need a physician."

"Look at yourself! There's blood everywhere." She heard a second man arguing with the first. Laphelia was happy she was not involved.

She had almost turned the corner when the door creaked open. "Excuse me, my lady. Can I ask you a quick question."

"Yes?" Laphelia silently cursed her luck.

"Come here, please." He led her into the room with the other man. She blushed at the sight of him. He had dark brown hair, dark blue eyes, and his pant leg was rolled up to his upper thigh. Laphelia tried not to look at him, but she was finding it hard not to.

"Are you daft? Bring a beautiful noblewoman to see me in this state?" The man looked slyly at her with dark blue eyes that wandered up and down her figure.

"Don't you think he needs a physician?"

"Quiet, Elias. We haven't even been introduced to the lady." He mustered all his strength and sat up. The man reached for her hand and kissed it. "Robert Maywell, Sheriff of Nottinghamshire. And this is my manservant, Elias."

Her eyes widened. The new sheriff? What was he doing on a ship to the Holy Land? "Laphelia- uh Lady Rachel Kieran."

"Now that you are introduced, may I ask my question once more? Do you think I should call a physician?" There was obvious concern in Elias' voice.

"I can see blood, but I cannot see the wound." She looked at her feet. A woman shouldn't see a man in this position if he was not her husband, especially if she felt a slight attraction for him. Robert was handsome, very handsome.

"It is on his thigh, my lady. Oh…"

Laphelia looked up and saw the deep laceration. She was instantly flustered.

"What's going here?" The young woman tensed as her "husband" appeared in the doorway. "Rachel?"

"Who are you?" Robert asked and lay back down. He was starting to feel a bit lightheaded.

"I am Lord James Kieran." Laphelia met his eyes and gave him a look that seemed to tell him to leave. Guy didn't care. "Is my wife bothering you?"

Robert glared at "Lord Kieran" but Elias stopped him from speaking. "My master is injured, I was inquiring her opinion on his condition."

"His condition? I suspect it was her opinion on his indecency," Gisbourne spat.

"Guy," Laphelia hissed, "go away," she noticed they had heard her, "unless you can offer help."